Paulo Coelho

[Rosina Lila]

Hello you all,
    When I was traveling I meant to send a direct message to Elyn which went,
mistakenly, to the List.  I've gotten a few inquiries about it, so I'll reply
to them herein:
    On August 19, 2001, the following message was sent to a Santiago ListServ
in Spanish:
" Good evening. My Spanish is not very good, but I will try.
I have read many references to (my book) 'El Peregrino de Compostela, a
magician's diary' in messages in this group. I  joined this group two days
ago and I wish to answer some questions which need a reply:
1. I went on the Camino during July and august of 1986, to achieve a personal
goal.
2. The (my) book utilizes several metaphors, but its essence is real.
3. When they say that I used a car, it would be interesting if all albergue
keepers could remember all pilgrims. When I went on the Camino there were
very few pilgrims and albergue keepers, and even if there had been (more) I
was completely  unknown.
I did not sleep in any albergue. I always used hotels. I did not even know
about albergues because the guide that I used did not mention them.
It has to be remembered that when I went on the Camino I did not know
anything at all about the theme.  There was no literature (about it), no
Internet, etc.
4. I returned to the Camino many times to tape documentaries.  I owe much to
the Camino and will always do whatever I can to promote it. (I will be taping
a documentary for Japanese TV in September 23 to 29).
5. It was not my intention to write a Camino Guide. I think that the Everest
one is very good.  My intention was to share an experience.  I did not
imagine that so many people would be interested (in the Camino), I wrote the
book for myself and my friends. It was my first book.
Well, if there is anything else that I may clarify, please send me a message.
 I will be traveling on the 21st. But I would like to share, with honesty and
respect, some of my experience.
Finally, I did not walk the entire Camino, I only went to O Cebreiro, as
stated in the book.  It is very curious that the most popular book on the
theme (of the Santiago pilgrimage) was written by a pilgrim that did not walk
all the way to Santiago.
Thank you.
Paulo Coelho"

The e-mail address given by the writer is :  autorapaulocoelho.com

I sent him two messages, in Portuguese, and received gracious replies.
As I told Elyn in my message from Florence, the Coelho Santiago book is a
huge best seller in Italy, under a different name "Il Cammino di Santiago"
and with a beautiful, and whimsical, cover.  I myself did not like the
book.... all the stuff about magicians, swords, and such,  turned me off so
that I only read a few pages.  But I have read some articles written by him
and admired them.
Best regards, again,
Rosina